Your Community: Dates to watch and upcoming events

The city of Santa Clarita hosts a themed party 7-11 p.m. every third Thursday of the month, on Main Street in Newhall. Free. Enjoy live music and entertainment, art displays, food trucks and more. Info: 661-250-3787 or www.sensesonmain.com.

Sunday, May 6

Taste of the Town, the annual food tasting event to benefit the Santa Clarita Child & Family Center will be held 1-5 p.m., Sunday, May 6 at Mann BioMedical Park, 25104 Rye Canyon Loop, Valencia. More than 40 food and beverage booths and entertainment. Tickets are $75 each, all inclusive, for general admission and $125 each for reserved umbrella seating. Info and tickets: www.childfamilycenter.org.

Saturday, May 12

Placerita Canyon Nature Center’s annual Open House and Family Festival will be held 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, May 12 at Placerita Canyon Nature Center, 19152 Placerita Canyon Road, Newhall. The event is free. There will be guided hikes, animal presentations and displays, music, historical rein-actors, crafts demonstrations, informational booths concerning wildlife, conservation and indigenous peoples and a Treasure Hunt. Panning for “gold,” face painting and children’s crafts will also be featured for a nominal fee. Food and drink are available. Info: www.placerita.org

Cowgirls and Crystals to benefit Carousel Ranch. 2 p.m. to dusk. Proceeds will be used to fund programs for therapy on horseback for disabled children and adults. Event will be held outdoors in the Western Town at the ranch, 34289 Rocking Horse Road, Agua Dulce. Included in the day’s upscale cowgirl fun is a gourmet barbecue, shopping, line dancing, horseback riding and ropinglessons. Info: www.carouselranch.org or 661-268-8010.

Special Olympics of Southern California will host the 11th annual Regional Spirit Games Saturday, May 19. The games begin with opening ceremonies at 9 a.m. More than 600 athletes will compete in a variety of events from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at William. S. Hart High School, Newhall Park, Boys & Girls Club of SCV, Placerita Junior High School and West Ranch High School. Event includes an Olympic Village in Newhall Park with music, food and family activities. The public is invited to attend.

Saturday, June 2

The 41st annual Boys & Girls Club of SCV Benefit Auction will be held Saturday, June 2 with doors opening at 5 p.m. Live and silent auctions. The location is yet to be determined. The theme is Heroes Among Us — A Gala Celebration. General admission ticket for two: $25. Gala dinner seating is $85 per person. Table sponsors begin at $650. For information, visit www.scvbgc.org.

Upcoming events

Gently used clothing needed

Wayman Cleaners is collecting gently used men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, shoes and accessories such as purses to distribute to the homeless and low-income populations in and around the SCV. Clothes can be dropped off between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. at Wayman Cleaners, 23120 Lyons Ave, Suite 15, New-hall. Info: 661-259-5857.

Pet Assistance Foundation SCV staffs a hotline providing our community low-cost resources for cat and dog spaying and neutering. As a volunteer, you will use your telephone to return hotline calls as needed, about four hours a week. We provide training. Info: 661-260-3140 or www.SCVPetAssistance.com.

The Power of Now Group Meeting

If you’re interested in the works of Eckhart Tolle, call Cliff Fletcher at 661-755-1524. Meeting dates and location to be determined.

The Santa Clarita Valley Corvette Club is a nonprofit organization and the focal point for all things Corvette locally. Monthly meetings are held at 7:30 p.m., first Thursday of every month at Marie Callender’s, 27630 The Old Road, Valencia. Social meetings are held 6 p.m., third Thursday of every month at Route 66 Classic Grill, 18730 Soledad Canyon Road, Canyon Country. Info: www.scvcc.org.

The Lost Patrol support group

Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 355, chapter meeting/brunch held monthly, usually at 10 a.m., third Sunday of every month, at Marie Callender’s, 27630 N. The Old Road, Valencia. Info: 818-508-9626.

Mental illness support group

A support group for family members of those with serious mental illnesses is held at 6:30 p.m. on the first and third Tuesday of the month, Santa Clarita Department of Health, 23501 Cinema Drive, Suite 210, Valencia. Info: 661-360-8002.

Loss of child support at Henry Mayo

Perinatal Loss and Bereavement Support Group: This support group helps anyone who is dealing with miscarriage, stillbirth or newborn death in an effort to assure parents that they are not alone in their grief. The group meets Thursdays, 7 to 8:30 p.m., in the Pavilion meeting room, Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital, 25727 McBean Parkway, Valencia.

The Stroke and Brain Injury Support Group hosts a free meeting 4-5:30 p.m. every second and fourth Friday at Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital in the Pavilion meeting room, 23845 McBean Parkway, Valencia. Stroke survivors, caregivers and family members are invited to attend. Free. Info: 661-253-8651.

Daybreak Santa Clarita Toastmasters

Daybreak Santa Clarita Toastmasters meets 6:45-8 a.m. on the second and fourth Thursday of every month in the Santa Clarita City Hall, Council Chambers. Get an opportunity to practice conducting meetings, giving impromptu speeches, presenting prepared speeches and offering constructive evaluation. Free parking available at 23920 Valencia Blvd., Valencia. No RSVP necessary.

Business counseling by SCORE

Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) offers free resources and expertise to existing and start-up businesses in order to maximize their success, including business planning, problem analysis and more. Individual counseling sessions are held on the second and fourth Thursday of every month starting at 10 a.m. Appointments preferred, but not necessary. Info: 661-964-9390, www.scorela.org.

The SCV Education Foundation seeks volunteers to assist students improve their reading skills in local public schools for this coming school year. Info: Ann Unger at aunger@scveducationfoundation.org or 661-414-4465.

The early Californio lifestyle is preserved in its original rural environment at this nonprofit museum. Docent-led public and group tours are offered at 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday February through November and by appointment year-round. Located on Highway 126, two miles east of Piru and 10 miles west of Interstate 5 in Santa Clarita. Suggested donation: $5 for adults, $3 for children/students. Check before going for special event closures. Info: 800-521-1501, www.ranchocamulos.org.

The Santa Clarita Farmers Market is held every Sunday 8:30 a.m.-noon, College of the Canyons, Parking Lot 8 in Valencia. Info: 805-529-6266, www.vccfarmersmarkets.com.

Veterans softball team seeks players

Want to play softball? A local team seeks active, reserve, guard, prior service and retired military to join. Info: Fred Malcomb at scvmilitarysoftball @gmail.com.

Youth football registration open

Online registration for the Santa Clarita Wildcats youth football program is now open. SC Wildcats welcomes all players ages 6-14 who will be attending West Ranch, Hart and Valencia high schools, or live in the Castaic area. Complete and submit forms at www.thescysa.com.

Cheer team registration open

Online registration for the Santa Clarita Wildcats cheer program. All girls ages 5-16 are eligible to join. Cheer team is trained by West Ranch High School cheerleaders. Complete and submit forms at www.thescysa.com.

Special exhibit at Hart Museum

The William S. Hart Museum will host an exhibit featuring objects in the Natural History Museum and Hart Museum relevant to two Academy Award Best Picture nominees, “Hugo” and “The Artist,” through June 3. Learn about the costumes, film props, equipment and historical artifacts used in both films. Museum hours are 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, with tours every half-hour. Free admission. William S. Hart Museum is located at 24151 Newhall Ave., Newhall. Info: 661-254-4584.

SCV Koi & Water Garden Club

The Santa Clarita Valley Koi & Water Garden Club, meets 4 p.m., fourth Sunday of the month at the home and pond of members. The club is made up of people with ponds or those building a pond who want to share ideas and experiences. Info: 661-259-6437 or 661-296-9252.

Single Mothers Outreach sells pins

Single Mothers Outreach is selling custom-designed pins to honor mothers for Mother’s Day. Residents are also invited to purchase pins to donate to SMO parents as a Mother’s Day gift. Pins cost $25 each and may be purchased at Fresh Boutique, 24419 Walnut St., Newhall; La Via Bella at Westfield Valencia Town Center, 24300 Town Center Drive, Suit 106, Valencia; and through SMO’s website at www.singlemothersoutreach.org/support.

Bridges to Ability Activities calendar

Bridges to Ability for teenagers and adults with disabilities will host the following events for registered clients:

Shop, eat and play at this fundraiser benefiting SCUMC Women’s Ministries activities 9 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday, May 4, at Barnes and Noble, Bake You Happy and Baja Fresh, 23630 Valencia Blvd., Valencia. Present the flyer at the register for a percentage of your purchases to benefit SCUMC. Info: Church office at 661-297-3783; download flyer at www.scumc.org.